Page 25 of Escalating Alpha

And it was also freeing. That soundedhorriblyungrateful. I knew that. I did appreciate him always doing that for me, but when it felt like one of his chores and he never really cared about what I preferred to eat instead of what was most nutritious for me, it was more a weight on me.

I had to eat the food so I didn’t waste it. Yes, others did, and I gave it away all of the time. I snuck in other food like a kid. It was all so weird.

I knew Phobie wanted me to try talking to Dain again and let him see how mentally unhealthy it was. Address the strain it put on our relationship and how problematic it was.

I just didn’t want to be dismissed again. I’d made enough comments in passing or flat-out said I didn’t need him to meal plan for me anymore. That I got it now since I wasn’t a new wolf and I’d been good about it for a long time. Hell, I’d made a point to say how nice it was when Reagan and I cooked together or others planned our date mealswith me.

Instead of for me like I was a child.

We did that for Topher. It upset me Dain never saw the difference.

I was just about to order food when there was a knock at the door. I sighed, wondering what drama there was now, but it could also be Maya asking something quick since most people didn’t come up to my hallway without texting first.

Nothing surprised me more than to find one of the ancients at my door with one of the carts the building had that the residents could use… And it was overloaded with grocery bags.

“Dain ordered Instacart but isn’t back yet,” he explained. “He asked I bring it upstairs to you.”

“Oh, thanks,” I said taking the cart. “I’ll bring this back down later.” I thanked him again and then stared at the bags.

So instead of having the chefs cook to fill my fridge and freezer with meals he’d ordered for me, Dain was now ordering groceries for me? Again, without asking me or consulting me?

I think I had a right to be miffed about that. Right?

He showed up not even ten minutes later with a smile, saying he was glad the groceries got there fine but he was sorry they arrived before he did… But lost his smile when he saw them still in bags on the cart.

And clearly, he sensed what was brewing inside of me.

He studied me carefully. “I thought it would be nice for us to cook dinner together tonight.”

“You did, huh?” I whispered, pulling out my phone and bringing up UberEats. Something hit me and I froze before slowly glancing at him. “What brought this on?”

Dain cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. “It was brought to my attention that I’m overbearing with your meal planning and treat you—it’s not the healthiest dynamic for a married couple.”

“Who told you this?” I asked, a lump forming in my throat.

He frowned. “Brian—well, most of them, but he was the one who pushed that I listen and realize that you enjoyed cooking and to experience that with you. What I’ve been doing wasn’t right and—”

“Get out,” I breathed. He didn’t hear me at first, still talking about how he’d seen the light while still making the same fucking mistake, so I repeated myself.

“What?” he asked, doing a double take. “Why are you so upset, my love?”

“I’m not your love,” I said more for myself, ignoring when he reacted like I’d slapped him. “You treat your love like a partner and equal. You treat me like a child and I’m tired of accepting this. I’ve had too rough of a fucking day.” I wiped my eyes when he froze. “Please leave before I say more, and take your fucking groceries with you.”

“I don’t understand. Why can I never do anything right by you?” His eyes went wide as he realized that was the wrong thing to say. “I’m sorry—that’s not what I meant. I wasn’t blaming you. It’s my—”

I could forgive that, and we’d all said something similar when we were upset. “You do a lot right. You do. You are—there are a lot of women who would give everything for our relationship and to be taken care of like this.” I wiped my eyes and met his confused gaze. “You are an amazing man, Dain Morton. It’s maybe just time to find a woman who—”

“Don’t,” he choked out. “Don’t say that. Please. I’m—I want to change and do this better by you.”

“But not becauseItold you it was what I needed or I didn’t like it. You listened when they told you. And I’m sure more than once, right? You—please, just get out. Please. Get out before I break.” I went and moved the cart into the hallway and then shoved him towards the door when he still didn’t go.

He didn’t fight me. I honestly thought he just couldn’t make himself move he was in such shock or… I didn’t know. All I sensed from him was fear, so it wasn’t he was being an asshole and not listening to me.

Not right then at least.

My mental state got worse when I realized the one person I could normally have talked about this with had betrayed me. I felt lost without Carter. He’d become such an integral part of my life that it was like missing my right arm more than a lover.

“I have so much that I’m blessed with. I have to stop hating my life,” I chastised myself.

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